Plea bargaining crimes of non-citizens requires careful attention to immigration consequences. Some crimes automatically result in deportation, but closely related crimes may have completely different immigration results. Convictions where legal advice about immigration consequences was ignored or deficiently given can sometimes be legally set aside.

The original DACA program

Using executive powers to stop removal (deportation) of young persons illegally present in the U.S.,
but who assimilated through education or military service, on June 15, 2012, then Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum providing
for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who were in removal, subject
to removal, or identified as undocumented, provided they met the following
criteria:

came to the United States before the age of sixteen (15 and below);

except for brief departures for humanitarian reasons, had continuously
resided in the United States for a least five years preceding June 15, 2012
and were physically present in the United States June 15, 2012;

were currently in school (including qualified programs for GED), graduated from high school or obtained a GED,
or were honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces;

were not convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor (including DUI),
multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security
or public safety; and

were not over the age of thirty-one on June 15, 2012.

Were out of status on June 15, 2012, either by virtue of overstaying a visa,
illegal entry, or termination of status by operation of law.

Eligible individuals, regardless of being under the age of 15, who were already
in removal proceedings that had not culminated in a final order of removal
(deportation) were to be given deferred action for a period of two years, which
was renewable indefinitely. The ICE Office of Public Advocate was the entity to
whom persons who believed they could qualify to direct inquiries.

Qualified persons whose cases resulted in final orders of removal (deportation)
of any age or who were never placed in removal and were at least 15 years old
could apply to USCIS for a two year deferred action determination, subject to
renewal.

USCIS began accepting applications on August 15, 2012. Three official forms
had to be submitted, one for deferred action (form I-821d), another for work authorization
(form I-765), and a third worksheet to establish economic need for employment
(form I-765ws). Documents to establish physical presence, schooling or military
record, identity, and age were required to be submitted. Applications had to be
accompanied by the required $465 fee, which was non-refundable. No fee waiver
was possible but in some rare cases, fee exemption could be granted. A criminal
record would disqualify persons under certain circumstances. No appeal was possible.
A motion to reopen could be filed in
egregiously wrongly decided cases, but refilings were discouraged.

If an application is successful, advance parole to travel outside the country
iss available, at the discretion of the immigration officials. A form I-131 was used to request it, but it can not be submitted
before the I-821d is approved.

One potentially troublesome area in administering the policy involves prior
trouble with the law. Traditional immigration rules applicable to other criminal
cases did not necessary apply to determinations made for deferred action. Thus,
a single prior DUI conviction, which ordinarily had little relevance in other
immigration proceedings, could disqualify an applicant who was otherwise eligible
under DACA. Prior juvenile delinquency dispositions generally were not taken
into account. The same is true of expunged crimes. On the other hand, a misdemeanor
conviction for illegal possession of marijuana did not necessarily preclude DACA.

No amnesty, path to permanent residency, citizenship, or other immigration
benefit is officially authorized, but one did emerge based on the case of Arrabally and Yerrabelly. No benefit is conferred on family
members
by virtue of DACA, but this may no longer apply under OBAMADARE if that program is allowed to go forward, notwithstanding
unfavorable judicial action.Read more about deferred actions.

Arizona refused at first to issue driver's licenses to persons granted DACA benefits on the theory that
the DACA documents do not confer lawful presence upon them, but in
ARIZONA DREAM ACT COALITION V. JANICE BREWER ,
13-16248 (2014), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled this policy unconstitutional as a violation of equal protection of the laws, a decision the Supreme Court refused to enjoin.

Young people who were ever the subject of a police investigation, used
a false social security card, falsely claimed to be a citizen, or left the country
during the five year qualifying period are strongly advised to consult with
a qualified immigration lawyer before filing papers for DACA, as
the process may not have been appropriate for them. Although USCIS stated it would not consider
prior use of false social security cards in the DACA process, some successful DACA applicants reported
inquiries from social security about the use of false numbers previously when they applied for social security
cards after employment authorization issued.

Being enrolled in certain GED programs will qualify as being currently enrolled in school and thus can support an application for DACA benefits but in Arizona,
one must have a state issued ID to enroll for a GED under state programs, which is unavailable generally to undocumented persons, so consultation with knowledgeable
individuals is recommended.

If you want experienced legal advice about the new policy and eligibility under
it, contact Messing Law Offices for professional Arizona
immigration attorney assistance. Please call (520) 512-5400 for further information about DACA.

Failed Prior Dreamer Legislation in Congress

With the re-election of President Obama in 2012, Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) has again become a hot political topic. Some initiatives in Congress to provide legislation for dreamers have been proposed, but they generally have taken
a back seat to CIR. The last serious attempt to legislate dream act relief was in 2010, and the DACA program through the executive branch follows failed immigration reform legislation
for DREAMERs. The DREAM (Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors) Act
was a proposed bill that failed to pass Congress in December, 2010. It was defeated
on a procedural vote of 55-41 in the Senate on December 18, 2010. Sixty votes
were needed to move the bill forward towards final approval.

The DREAM Act was proposal to allow undocumented young people who have been
raised and schooled in the U.S. to obtain permanent residency and a path to
citizenship. Perhaps the most eloquent example of the purpose and need for the
legislation was the 2005
underwater robotic championship won by a group undocumented Phoenix high
school students who competed against and defeated a prestigious MIT team in
a typically American tale of a spunky challenger who seizes an opportunity and
achieves a seemingly unobtainable goal.

The House on December 8, 2010 by a vote of 216 to 198 passed a version of the
law as an amendment to H.R. 5281. The provisions were set forth independently
as legislation in H.R.
6497. (It was also known as the Removal Clarification Act of 2010.) On the
night of December 16, Senate Majority Leader Reid filed cloture on H.R. 5281,
setting up a critical procedural vote in the Senate. The purpose of the vote
was to force the end of a filibuster in the Senate against DREAM. Three Republicans
crossed the aisle to join 50 Democrats and 2 Independents, but it was not enough.
5 Democrats actually voted against DREAM: Baucus (MT); Hagan (NC); Nelson (NE);
Pryor (AR); and Tester (MT). Newly elected Joe Manchin (WV) failed to appear
for the vote, which was equivalent to a "no" note. The five Democratic
votes were decisive in defeating DREAM.

Prior to the June 15, 2012 announcement, the Obama Administration reaffirmed
a policy of prosecutorial discretion in July 2011. In two memos, Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Morton announced a directive to refrain
from pursuing noncitizens with close family, educational, military, or other
ties in the U.S. and instead spend the agency’s limited resources on persons
who pose a serious threat to public safety or national security. Morton issued
a second memo that applied an exercise of discretion to cases involving victims,
witnesses to crimes, and plaintiffs in good faith civil rights lawsuits. The
memo instructs “[a]bsent special circumstances or aggravating factors,
it is against ICE policy to initiate removal proceedings against an individual
known to be the immediate victim or witness to a crime.”

Dissatisfaction with the pace of implenting these directives led to protests
by intended DREAM beneficiaries, and unrest. The June 15, 2012 memorandum addressed
implementation as regards DREAMERs directly.

Alternatives to DACA

Some alternatives to DACA should be considered in addition to the relief that
it offers. Such advice is routinely given during our initial consultation, which
can take place in person in the office, or where this is not practical via the
Internet using Skype or telephone.

First, a determination should be made whether an undocumented person in the
country really did enter illegally (as believed) or was actually waved through
by mistake at a border checkpoint by an immigration inspector. If there is documentary
proof of a faulty inspection procedure, then the person may actually have a
valid claim to have entered the United States legally and be able to benefit
from other provisions of existing law to obtain permanent residency through
non-Dream adjustment of status
procedures.

Second, if a person was the beneficiary of a petition for adjustment
of status that was filed prior to April 30, 2001 and it was prima facie
approvable by the immigration authorities (even if it never was approved), then,
upon payment of a fine of one thousand dollars in addition processing fees,
the filing date of that earlier petition may be used for a new, independent
petition under section 245(i) of the INA, which may yield permanent residency
apart from the provisions of DACA and notwithstanding an illegal entry
to the United States initially.

Third, if the person has been present for a long time and not run afoul of
the law, it may be possible to obtain a favorable exercise of prosecutorial
discretion, apart from DACA.

Fourth, if a person requires a waiver and is concerned about travelling back to the country of origin to seek one, the provisional waiver program may offer relief

Fifth, and most importantly, a qualified DACA recipient with a U.S. citizen spouse or parent may qualify for permanent residency through a legal entry
pursuant a travel document obtained after DACA is obtained.

Some of the features of the new DACA policy are more stringent than traditional
classical forms of immigration relief, which may be superior as a way to obtain
employment authorization and status.

If you have questions about deferred action as opposed to other forms of available
relief, such as amnesty under section 245(i), or prosecutorial discretion, please
contact Messing Law Offices.

Winner of the Corporate Intl Magazine
Legal Award for ‘Immigration Law Firm of the Year in Arizona for two years running’.

Here are some representative client testimonials:

SaMa - Feb 9, 2011
"Smart ,honnest, compassionate, great understanding of the immigration laws. john messing is the best lawyer you can get."

Leah - Sep 1, 2010
An exceptional immigration attorney Mr. Messing helped me sponsor my husband to come to
the U.S. from France. Even though I was missing some of the income qualifications he found every possible solution to get
us through the process successfully. I am very impressed with how smooth he made this process for us and quick w
were approved by USCIS! We will be using him again in the future to apply for citizenship. I highly recommend
Law Offices."

Messing Law Offices, P.L.C., based in Tucson, Arizona, provides immigration and
naturalization attorney services to Eloy, Florence, Nogales, Sierra Vista,
Tucson and Yuma as well as Coconino County, Gila County, Maricopa County, Pima County, Pinal County and Yavapai County.
Immigration services also offered in San Diego and Southern California.

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